Pocket Watch

I am a self confessed novice when it comes to IWC pocket watches. However I do admire them. Given my love for IWC I thought it was about time I picked one up. As I said I know little to less than that about them really. I had an idea of the sort of thing I wanted to get. A vague idea. I needed help. I am privileged enough to know Mark Levinsohn so who better to help me? Mark was kind enough to pick me up from the train station at Eindhoven and take me to his house to teach me pocket watch basics. He has an amazing collection and knowledge to match.

We then drove the hour plus to Maastricht to go Pocket Watch shopping. What a beautiful town. Steff and I will return. We headed to the shop and they only had a few for sale. I kind of knew what I had in mind and would know it when I saw it. Well, they had exactly what I had in mind. I would never have made the decision to buy on my own as my knowledge is extremely limited. So I am very grateful to Mark for taking the time to help. It was very kind.

My idea is that now I have my first PW, I will learn all about it and go from there. Everybody starts somewhere. To my eyes, it is perfect. I love the Art Deco style of the dial. And the movement? Clean as a whistle and a joy to observe. I couldn't be happier. It won't be my last.

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The man. The Legend. Thanks again for your help Mark.

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Nice work Jarrod and Mark!

Love the movement - and the numeric font reminds me of the 75th anniversary Portugieser style.

As an aside, this forum is a superb example of camaraderie that transcends a mere online existence. Real friendships develop and enabling ensues. It's easily the best community spirit I've encountered. Great work again, guys.

Congrats on getting started into the world of pocket watches. Mark at your side makes the undertaking easy and secure in the knowledge that you are not going off the deep end.

An interesting piece.

Seems to be a quite big case (min. 20 lig.) for a 17 lig movement.

Kind regards

Ralph

Ralph, would that indicate the case is not original?

Big congrats Jarrod. It is a great piece.

Taking Mark with you was certainly a wise decision.

This was not kindness - this was simply put, a "labor of love" :~)

You know that these pocket watches are a passion for me, and it was nothing but an absolute joy to chaperone you on this endevour.

PW=Pocket Watch=Pretty Wonderful. Congratulations Jarrod and Steffi.

Mark, I hope you don't take this the wrong way...

But I really hope you don't give me the 'pocket watch' strain of the already dreaded IWC virus.

(Can't afford to catch that strain!) LOL..

Congrats Jarrod.

Regards,
THang

No No, the case is original!

It is just funny: They took a small 17 lig H4 movement and placed it in a big (but flat) case. It seems and confirms: flatness was the main criteria for "Frackuhren". (Could be "tailcoat watch", I could not find the correct english word ).

It was a time, it was not allowed to wear a wrist watch with a tailcoat.

This type of watch was worn in the breast pocket and fixed with a chain at the lapel.

Pocket watches where in the 1930's thicker and would not fit in this pocket easily, so this watch type (Frackuhr) was created, mainly flat for the breast pocket to be worn with comfort.

kind regards

Ralph

A watch which was not worn in the pocket of a gilet.

Oh My Gosh Jarrod that is a beauty! It will add a great new dimension to your collection which already has incredible depth. Well done once again!!!!

Ralph, thank you for clarifying.

Congrats Jarrod.
You not only got a very nice piece, but you got to spend the day with Mark.
How much better does it get than that?
But, be careful. I remember going off in search of my first PW. I only need one, I said to myself, just as an historical representation of IWC. Then I found another and another - oh, I have to get this one - and then another.
Soon after, I had the opportunity to buy a really finely made PW box that had 8 slots. So now, I have to at least fill the box, right?
So as the story goes, once is never enough and for me, 12 is where I stopped. But each one tells a piece of the company's history and now each one has its own story as to how I acquired it and what it means to me.
Pretty special stuff, these old watches that tocked long before we ticked, so enjoy them in whatever quantity you decide.

Terry

Be careful? Too late! I'm hooked. I seriously doubt this will be my last. I really don't think I will collect like I do with watches, but it won't be my last.

;-)
I can't agree when you say "I really don't think I will collect like I do with watches..."

Hey! Pocket watches are watches too!

regards

Ralph

Oh, I agree Ralph, 100%. But it's a $$$ thing.

But you get more TicTacs für your $$$ buying PW's than when you spend it for new WW's

regards

Ralph

Ralph, once again I agree 100%. I can't believe how cool the PW I got is for the $$$. It seems really undervalued to me.

Jarrod, please shhh.....

No talk of undervalued etc. Of course you are spot on right! ...but we really don't want to wake up all those other collectors here, who to have not yet realized what they miss, and/or have come to see the fantastic finishing on some of the pocket watch movements, or the wealth of different Calibres' or the sometime brilliant dials, not to mention the often elaborately engraved cases, or the super Nielo inlay. Oh did I mention the magnificent Art Deco finished cases, or the fact that some of them still tic and toc still after 140 years?

SHHHH..... lets not wake up the others to what is certainly a "good buy" !

Ok Mark, I will keep this quiet from now on. I promise....

I have started surfing eBay looking at PW's now.